Wottie wrote:The Incredible Shug wrote:In the meantime, TIS, congratulations on your “what have the Romans ever done for us?” moment. You carry on ragin’!
And
you carry on patronisin', my friend!
I'll admit to a bit of hyperbole. I just think there's a certain debate to be had about whether Dodson's achievements are worth all that cash. Yes, the SRU debt was extensive, and we've made fantastic progress – but it doesn't necessarily mean that Dodson did something that someone else couldn't have done. That might be an uncharitable perspective, or a poorly-articulated one. I guess that a workman is only as good as his tools.
If you really do think Scott will be retained, then let's hope you're right! Despite some criticism of him last season, I think he's probably been, over the last two years, our best back not named Blair Kinghorn. Duhan will rightly be our player of the season, but Matt Scott has been consistently good over the last two seasons, when he's played. There's this odd misconception about him that he had been poor and had to prove himself at the start of this season. Last year was admittedly very injury-disrupted, but Scott turned in some great performances in Autumn 2018.
If Scott does stay, then I think our only piece of recruitment this summer will be a cheaper fly-half, plus a couple of odds and ends. Maybe a front-rower (I think Winning will be promoted to the senior squad), maybe a new hooker – Ewan Ashman, specifically. After that, we're pretty set to be honest. I wonder where Hunter-Hill will end up at.
He’s done nothing but degrade Scottish Rugby has he? ......... oh and clear the SRU debt, nearly double it’s revenue in a mere handful of years, Super 6 (even you must concede a success with better standards, coaching and good attendances), new stadium for Edinburgh, massive increases to budgets for both ER and GW (including hiring top notch coaches). The funds available to our pro teams now could only be dreamed of by Robinson, Bradley, Lineen et all. His reward this year was eye watering, yes, but remember over half of it is one off long term bonus secured against frankly what would have looked like unachievable KPI’s when set. He hit them. But hey, you go off on one because somebody starts a rumour (incidentally without any reference to source and it’s reliability) that a player may not have his contract renewed! Even if Scott isn’t here next season (I hope he is, and think he will be), It’s Cockers that decides how to spend ER’s budget as he sees fit and within a framework around overseas v SQ players I’m sure. Let’s also not forget, Scott’s demands need set against, sadly, a pretty awful injury track record and in particular, a propensity to suffer from head knocks and concussions. I think we will retain Scott, he can cover 13 in his new sleeker form and is box office on form. In the meantime, TIS, congratulations on your “what have the Romans ever done for us?” moment. You carry on ragin’!
....... but only with a lovely paintbrush and some really good paints!